What's New

February 23, 2015 - EPA is now distributing BMDS 2.6, a significant upgrade that includes several improvements to the nested models, parameter standard error reporting, parameter initialization for continuous models, file and path name handling, regional settings for the decimal separator, and other relatively minor issues. BMDS 2.6 also introduces a significant new feature: the ability for BMDS to automatically detect and, optionally, install software updates. This feature will ensure BMDS users have access to the latest version of the software with up-to-date fixes and enhancements.

This install package also includes an upgraded version (1.10) of the BMDS Wizard. BMDS Wizard v1.10 incorporates BMDS 2.6 reporting fixes and can also export Microsoft Word-formatted reports that employ the latest EPA-approved reporting format (as of September 2014). The Wizard can only export reports for continuous, dichotomous, and dichotomus-cancer models.

July 1, 2014 - EPA is distributing a new version of the BMDS continuous polynomial model that fixes an issue that resulted in incorrect parameter estimates for the first degree (linear) polynomial model when the beta1 (slope) parameter is restricted and variance is modeled as non-constant.

May 23, 2014 - EPA is now distributing BMDS 2.5, with an upgraded version (1.9) of the Excel-based BMDS Wizard. The BMDS Wizard has be upgraded to include a new template that allows users to run the MS_Combo model once all tumors have been run using the cancer template. Additionally, an issue with the cancer slope factor not exporting correctly has been resolved. A number of fixes have also been made to BMDS: (1) the “View Plot” functionality has been improved to make it easier to generate and edit a plot from a previously created .plt file; (2) the multistage, multistage cancer, and MS_Combo models now provide accurate results when non-integer input data are used and beta parameters are specified by the user; and (3) the power model now honors the direction of adversity specified by the user.

August 16, 2013 - EPA is now re-distributing BMDS 2.4, with an updated version (1.8) of the Excel-based BMDS Wizard. Version 1.8 of the Wizard has been modified so that it will (1) run correctly regardless of where BMDS is installed on a user's computer and (2) provide the user with the appropriate Multistage of Polynomial model choices given the number of dose groups in a dataset. The BMDS website has also been updated with (1) new instructions regarding how to download the source code for the software, and (2) information regarding the current versions of the individual model executable files.

April 19, 2013 - EPA is now distributing BMDS 2.4, which fixes issues related to data entry and running the MS_Combo and ten Berge models. Also, this version of BMDS provides preformatted BMDS Wizard templates. The BMDS Wizard is an Excel-based tool that streamlines data entry and option file creation, and implements logic to compare and analyze modeling results.

September 28, 2012 - EPA is now distributing BMDS 2.3.1, which simplifies how data validation errors for certain models are reported to the user and fixes interface issues reported to the BMDS development team since the release of Version 2.3.

September 12, 2012 - EPA is announcing an update of the Benchmark Dose Software (BMDS). The new BMDS Version 2.3 (Build 68) fixes several interface problems reported to the BMDS development team since the Version 2.2 release in late 2011. Most notably, BMDS 2.3 fixes a problem reported by users of Microsoft Office in Windows 7, in which clipboard errors would occasionally crash both BMDS and Microsoft Office. In addition, BMDS 2.3 now includes more flexible data input error-trapping functionality, enabling users to store comments, documentation, notations, etc. on dataset spreadsheets without triggering data validation errors. This change in functionality enables researchers to document their datasets as necessary within the BMDS environment. BMDS 2.3 contains no changes any of the BMDS dose-response models.

December 8, 2011 - EPA is now distributing BMDS 2.2 (Build 67), which include minor modifications to the user interface.

September 6, 2011 - EPA is now distributing the final release of Version 2.2 (Build 66) of the Benchmark Dose Software (BMDS). Key enhancements in BMDS 2.2 (Build 66) include:

Multiple Tumor Analysis - BMDS 2.2 adds the capability to perform a combined analysis of multiple tumors. If the user is willing to assume that those tumors are independent and are well described by a multistage-cancer model, then the Multiple Tumor Analysis capability (accessed through the File/New or File/Open tool-bar choices) allows the user to estimate BMDs and BMDLs for the combined incidence of the tumors in question (i.e., BMDs and BMDLs for the likelihood of getting one or more of those tumors).

Trend Test for Dichotomous Data - Another major addition is the new capability to perform a trend test on dichotomous data sets. This is the first in a series of trend test to be added to BMDS (future versions will also include trend test for continuous and nested data). The trend testing feature can be found on the dataset screens, accessible once a dataset has been identified by the user as containing dichotomous response data. The test performed is the Cochran-Armitage trend test described by Haseman (1984).

The Dichotomous Hill model has been modified - Changes to the parameter initialization section of the Dichotomous Hill code have improved the convergence features of this model.

Automatic Transfer of Variable Name Changes to Other Option Files in a Session - When working within a session, variable name changes (e.g., for dose, sample size, response, mean, or standard deviation variables) made in one option file (i.e., for one model) can be "transferred" to other option files included in that session (i.e., those for other models). The user will be prompted to determine if variable name assignment changes made in one option file should be made in all other option files included in that session. Thus, users can change variable name assignments once in a session, without having to make those changes separately in every option file.

Default Column Headers for New Datasets - Note also that newly created dichotomous, continuous or nested model data files will start with default column headers, in a particular order, as appropriate for the type of data (e.g., Dose, N, and Effect for dichotomous datasets; Dose, N, Mean, and Std for summarized continuous datasets). The user may change those default headers, but will be warned that doing so may affect the running of BMDS-supplied sessions that look for those default names.

June 11, 2010 - EPA is now distributing the final release of Version 2.1.2 (Build 60) of the Benchmark Dose Software (BMDS). Key enhancements in BMDS 2.1.2 (Build 60) include:

Users can now use spaces in directory path and names associated with BMDS files, including data files.

The maximum number of characters allowed in directory path + file name has been increased to 256.

GnuPlot features have been added for enhanced plot viewing and editing.

Help file has been updated, and now includes a section describing the use of session and option file templates that are currently distributed with BMDS.

Polynomial and multistage models will now run, with warning messages, when the number of observations is less than the number of parameters being estimated.

Users can now specify the lower bound on the Weibull power parameter to be something other than 0 or 1.

The Toxicodiffusion model has been fixed so that it will run with all recent versions of R.

For details on these changes, go to the BMDS 2.1.2 Help menu option in the installed software. Also, the Readme.rtf file distributed with BMDS describes the improvements made in version 2.1.2 (Build 60), installation requirements, and known problems.

December 29, 2009 - EPA is announcing the availability of a new Time-To-Tumor Multistage Weibull Model ("MSW"). This
model is run from a Windows command prompt window, data is submitted in a text file, and output is sent to a text file. The
software was reviewed externally in late 2007 and revised and tested in 2008.

November 9, 2009 - EPA is now distributing Version 2.1.1 (Build 55) of the Benchmark Dose Software
(BMDS). BMDS 2.1.1 (Build 55) contains a flexible new feature that allows users to export select BMDS summary report data
and plots to Excel. It also contains a comprehensive set of sample session and model option files to assist users in running
batch operations, and several improvements to the ten Berge model that were not available in version 2.1. The Readme.rtf file
distributed with BMDS provides details on the improvements made in Version 2.1.1 (Build 55), installation requirements, and
known problems.

July 30, 2009 - EPA is now distributing the final release of Version 2.1 (Build 52) of the Benchmark Dose
Software (BMDS). BMDS 2.1 (Build 52) contains user interface enhancements as well as several additions/enhancements to the
suite of models available for modeling dose-response data, including new features for the continuous exponential models and
a new interface for the ten Berge concentration-time model. For details on the changes to the user interface, go to the
BMDS 2.1 Help menu option in the installed software. The Readme.rtf file distributed with BMDS describes the improvements
made in version 2.1 (Build 52), installation requirements, and known problems.

The exponential models contained in this version of BMDS have been developed in conjunction with the Netherlands' National
Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) to be consistent with the exponential models contained in the RIVM's
PROAST software. The USEPA and RIVM are working together to achieve consistency between the BMDS and
PROAST software and methods.

September 30, 2008 - EPA is making version 2.1 of BMDS available at this time for public
beta testing. Version 2.1 includes a beta (external peer review) version of a new time-dependent toxicodiffusion model for continuous outcomes (Zhu et al., 2005),
incorporates graphical plots for the continuous exponential models and allows for the use of individual animal continuous response data. The BMDS toxicodiffusion
model was developed by the USEPA National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), through partnerships with the USEPA Neurotoxicology Division (NTD) and
the University of South Florida, to characterize toxic effects (e.g., neurotoxicity) that potentially evolve along critical time points. It does this by:

modeling a dose-response along a time-course of repeated response measures; and

computing benchmark doses and their confidence limits along the time course.

Documentation for the toxicodiffusion model can also be downloaded. The documentation contains a full description of the
model, input requirements, model run options and sample runs.

In addition, EPA is distributing an external review (beta) version of a concentration-time (CxT) model originally programmed by Wil ten
Berge. The EPA ten Berge model implements an approach to evaluating the CxT relationships for effects associated
with chemical exposures. The EPA's version 1.0 implementation of this model is being distributed along with associated documentation and comments on the model
received from external peer reviewers. EPA plans to respond to external review comments and incorporate the ten Berge model into a future version of BMDS.

Finally, EPA has updated this website to offer new online and hands-on training opportunities. The online training tutorial has
been updated for the 2.x versions of BMDS. A new web page has been added that details upcoming training opportinities.

July 10, 2008 - BMDS Version 2.0 final is now available. Released on July 10, 2008, it replaces BMDS 1.4.1c as the official BMDS
software. BMDS 2.0 is a rewrite of the user interface and risk assessment modeling framework, with a markedly improved functionality and enhanced
multi-model processing capabilities. It uses the same underlying source code for the models in BMDS 1.4.1 software, with minor corrections and some
important additions. For details on the new user interface, go to the BMDS 2.0 Help menu option in the installed software. BMDS 2.0 also has
a new set of quantal models with alternative background (i.e., background additive to dose) and asymptote (i.e., Hill model) parameters, as well as a
Beta Exponential set of models.

November 9, 2007 - BMDS version 1.4.1c is now available. This version updates dichotomous models that were already included on BMDS
version 1.4.1b. The updates primarily improve the handling of parameter specifications, particularly in situations where the user may wish to specify the
background parameter to be zero.

October 10, 2007 - BMDS 2.0 beta - Build 19 released on October 10, 2007 replaces the first BMDS 2.0 beta release of September 28, 2007
(Build 13). The new Build 19 has important changes and enhancements as a result of additional testing and user exposure and should be downloaded and used
instead of Build 13. Enhancements include the ability to better run a number of the BMD models and also added flexibility and fixes for user interface
features. Changes include the designation of the new Dichotomous models as Alternate Dichotomous to better reflect their production status. Please refer to
the readme.txt file included with the software installation for more details on the BMDS 2.0 beta.

September 28, 2007 - BMDS Version 2.0 beta is now available for inspection and testing (NOTE: this is a beta test version, provided
only for your examination and testing - BMDS 1.4.1b should be used for definitive risk assessment calculations). BMDS 2.0 beta employs
a new graphical user interface and makes it easy to run a number of models for one data set and compare the results. BMDS 2.0 beta also
has a new set of quantal models with alternative background parameters (i.e., background additive to dose). We welcome comments
and suggestions on the functioning of the interface and its new features, and on the new models.

August 29, 2007 - BMDS Version 1.4.1b has been added to replace version 1.4.1. This version contains
an update to the BMDS help file.

February 5, 2007 - Version 1.4.1 is now available (see BMDS
Download Page)! All models have been recompiled to improve speed, stability and compatibility
with the latest Windows operating systems. Improvements have been made to the model output format for all models. A
Multistage-Cancer model has been added which calculates and reports a cancer slope factor and plots
the linear extrapolation from the BMDL to the background response estimate per EPA's 2005 cancer
guidelines. Unlike the Multistage model, the Multistage Cancer model does not estimate added risk,
nor does it allow beta coefficients to be unrestricted. The Quantal-Quadratic model was removed from
Dichotomous model choices (note: the user can still run this model by specifying the power term of
the Weibull model to be 2, but this model is not retained in the BMDS dichotomous model listings)

Issues in the continuous models that caused occasional errors in degrees of freedom
assignments which impacted continuous model test results have been resolved. Acceptance criteria for
Tests 2, 3 and 4 was changed from p>=0.05 to p>=0.1 and default risk type changed to "Std. Dev." for
all continuous models to be consistent with EPA's draft BMD technical guidance (EPA, 2000). Issues
with the Hill model have been fixed, including memory problems which were causing some operating
systems to crash. Parameter standard error estimates and Chi-squared residual calculations in all
the continuous models were checked and corrected if in error. Model A3 of the continuous model
testing procedures has been modified so that it always uses the user-specified value for the
parameter rho, including the constant-variance case where rho = 0. When rho = 0, model A3 is the
same as model A1, and it is reported explicitly in the constant-variance runs. As a consequence, all
model runs report the entire set of models (A1, A2, A3, R and the fitted model) and all four
hypothesis tests.

Issues in the Nested models that caused occasional errors in degrees of freedom
assignments have been resolved. Memory problems which were causing problems for some NCTR model
runs have been fixed.

May 23, 2003 - Version 1.3.2 of BMDS is now available (see
BMDS Download Page)! Version 1.3.2 contains revised
polynomial (poly.exe) and nested logistic (nlogist.exe) models that are compatible with Windows 2000. If
you are using a Windows 98 or older operating system, you may need to update your msvcrt.dll driver. We
suggest that you obtain the latest msvcrt.dll driver from microsoft or
download this version of the msvcrt.dll
driver and copy it to the c:\windows\system directory of your computer (you may have to exit
Windows and do this in DOS mode).

November 13, 2002 - A new polynomial model (Version 2.2) is now available that fixes the previous incompatibility with Windows 2000.
Click on this link to get the new poly.exe file. Download it to your main bmds directory
(same directory as the bmds.exe file).

January 22, 2002 - Version 1.3.1 of BMDS is now available (see BMDS
Download Page)! Version 1.3.1 contains a revised help manual and user interface, including
a revision to the interface that allows the Multistage model to calculate BMD and BMDL values
for very low (below E-5) benchmark response (BMR) levels.

March 22, 2001 - Version 1.3 of
BMDS is now available (see BMDS Download Page)!
This latest version of BMDS, version 1.3, contains new continuous Polynomial
(v2.1), Power (v2.1) and Hill (v2.1) models, new dichotomous Multistage
(v2.1), Weibull (v2.1) and Gamma (v2.2) models, and an improved user interface.
The new models are more compact and stable (will converge on BMD and BMDL
solutions more often). The user interface upgrades are described
in the new help manual (PDF format) for version
1.3 and the readme.txt file that is distributed with the upgrade.

October 25, 2000 - A new version of BMDS,
version 1.2.1 is being distributed at this time (see BMDS
Download Page). This version contains new versions of the continuous
Polynomial (version 2.1) and Hill (version 2.1) models. If you do
not want to completely reinstall BMDS, you can download the the new model
executables (see Latest Versions of BMDS Help and
Model Files) and run them separately or under the BMDS version 1.2
interface. These new versions of the polynomial and Hill models fix
problems associated with running the model on Windows NT/2000 operating
systems, provide improved model fit for certain unique data sets and improve
upon the rate of convergence on a BMD and BMDL.

September 2, 2000 - A new user interface
(BMDS0900.exe) was distributed to fix some problems with installation of
BMDS on certain Windows 98 configurations. If you successfully installed
BMDS version 1.2 using a previous installation procedure you do not need
this upgrade. This upgrade merely simplifies the installation process and
corrects some problems that did not allow BMDS to install to certain computer
hardware/software configurations. (This version of the software is
no longer being made available as there are newer versions now available
which fix problems that were being encountered on newer operating systems.
See above.)